What is a Water Transport Worker?

Workers in water transportation occupations operate and maintain ships that take cargo and people over water. The are sometimes called merchant mariners. These ships travel to and from foreign ports across the ocean to domestic ports along the coasts, across the Great Lakes, and along the country’s many inland waterways. Work schedules and conditions vary by the type of ship. Most workers work long hours while they are on the ship.

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What does a Water Transport Worker do?

Water transport workers typically do the following:

Operate and maintain private ships

Follow their ship’s strict chain of command

Ensure the safety of all people and cargo on board.

These workers work on a variety of ships. Some operate large deep-sea container ships to transport manufactured goods around the world. Motorboat operators work on bulk carriers that move heavy commodities, such as coal or steel across the oceans and over the Great Lakes. Others work on both large and small tankers that carry oil and other liquid products around the world. Some may work on supply ships that transport equipment and supplies to offshore oil and gas platforms.

Workers on tugboats help barges and other boats maneuver in small harbours and at sea.

Cruise ships employ a large number of water transportation workers, and some merchant mariners work on ferries to transport passengers along shorter distances.

A typical deep sea merchant ship, large coastal ship, or Great Lakes merchant ship employs a captain and chief engineer, along with three mates, three assistant engineers, and a number of sailors and marine oilers. Smaller vessels that operate in harbours or rivers may have a smaller crew, with a captain, sometimes a mate, and one to a few sailors.

What is the workplace of a Water Transport Worker like?

Workers in water transportation occupations usually work for long periods on small and cramped ships, which can be uncomfortable. Many people decide life at sea is not for them because of difficult conditions onboard ships and long periods away from home. However, companies have worked hard to improve living conditions on their ships. Most ships are now air-conditioned and include comfortable living quarters. Many ships also include entertainment systems with satellite TV and Internet connections. Large ships usually have a full-time cook, as well.